Chachi

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A language of Ecuador

ISO 639-3
cbi
Alternate Names
“Cayapa” (pej.), Cha’ Palaachi, Cha’palaa, Cha’palaachi
Population

9,500 (2004).

Location

North coastal jungle, Esmeraldas Province, Cayapas river and tributaries (Onzole, Canandé, Sucio, Cojimíes, and others).

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Barbacoan, Southern
Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Elders and preschool-aged children are mostly monolingual (Crevels 2007). Women, older adults, and those living in the isolated headwaters of the river are less bilingual in Spanish [spa].

Language Development
Dictionary. NT: 2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chachi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ethnonym: Chachi (sg.), Chachilla (pl.). Traditional religion, Christian.